Sheltered Existence Alert!

(Via Drudge) 1971 Photo of Kerry Doctored

As a 20-year-old photographer documenting the country's struggle over the Vietnam War, Ken Light snapped the picture of John Kerry at a peace rally in Mineola. It captured the future senator alone at a podium, squinting into the sun.

Light did not photograph Jane Fonda on that warm June Sunday in 1971. The actress, who is reviled by many Vietnam veterans for her vocal stance against the war, did not even attend.

But when opponents of the Democratic presidential hopeful began e-mailing Light's picture to one another four days ago, it depicted Fonda standing by Kerry's side. The photo had been doctored.

"I'm horrified," said Light, 52, who grew up in East Meadow and now heads the graduate photojournalism program at the University of California at Berkeley. "I think this kind of alteration is probably one of the scariest forms of trickery, particularly when it's done against a political candidate."

For someone who "heads the graduate photojournalism program at the University of California at Berkeley" ole Ken doesn't seem to get out much. Ken, meet Fark. And Ken, your original snap from that day was really great.

Dag Vega, a spokesman for Kerry's campaign, said, "The smear tactics have started already."

Sheesh, another shut-in. Since Lurch served as Hanoi Jane's sock puppet in the early 70's, it's like we're so totally shocked to see a photo of them together.

Which reminds me. Did you know Jane got Lurch a small gig in Barbarella as the weird disembodied alien?